[Thromboprophylaxis in surgical patients]

Abstract

The thromboprophylaxis strategy varies across the surgery type and the patient characteristics. The thromboembolic risk depends on the surgery and the patient's characteristics. The bleeding risk depends on the surgery, the anticoagulant drug and the patient's characteristics. The low molecular weight heparins remain the main drugs used for thromboprophylaxis in surgery, except in major orthopaedic surgery, a situation in which some of the new oral anticoagulants may be preferred.